Cities of the Red Night

This first edition was published in 1981 by Holt, Rinehart and Winston, representing the first volume of Burroughs's final trilogy and marking a significant evolution in his experimental narrative techniques.

Cities of the Red Night presents Burroughs's complex exploration of alternative histories, gay liberation, and revolutionary politics through his characteristic cut-up technique and nonlinear narrative structure. The novel weaves together multiple time periods and storylines, including 18th-century pirates, 1980s private detectives, and futuristic plague scenarios. The book examines themes of freedom, control, sexuality, and social transformation through Burroughs's unique blend of science fiction, historical fiction, and experimental prose.

This novel appeared during Burroughs's later career, when he had evolved from the raw experimental techniques of earlier works like Naked Lunch into more sophisticated narrative experiments. The book represents his mature consideration of political and social themes that had interested him throughout his career, while demonstrating his continued innovation in literary technique. It marked his return to novel-length works after years of shorter experimental pieces.

The novel appeared during the early Reagan era and reflects Burroughs's response to conservative political trends and the emerging AIDS crisis. The book's exploration of gay themes and alternative sexualities was groundbreaking for its time and influenced later LGBTQ+ literature. First editions of this book have become highly sought after by collectors, particularly given Burroughs's status as a counterculture icon. The book's complex structure and experimental techniques influenced later postmodern writers and helped establish Burroughs's reputation as a major experimental novelist.